Dean Stringer Receives Honorary Doctorate

December, 2014

Oklahoma State University awarded an honorary doctorate to former OSU Regent L. E. “Dean” Stringer during its December 2014 undergraduate commencement ceremonies.

“While serving as a regent, Dean Stringer advocated for increased funding for the OSU library and pushed for the creation of a distinguished teaching award to honor top faculty as well as a campaign to raise scholarship funds for students,” said President Burns Hargis. “He is a cherished alumnus who has tirelessly devoted his life to serve OSU and we will proudly honor him with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.”

In addition to serving eight years on the OSU/A&M Board of Regents, Stringer has dedicated much of his life to serving OSU. He has served as president of the OSU Alumni Association, trustee and governor of the OSU Foundation, and director of the OSU Friends of the Library. He has been recognized and honored by the OSU College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Political Science, and was inducted into the OSU Alumni Association Hall of Fame. In 1994, the OSU Student Government Association declared March 23 as “L.E. Dean Stringer Day.” Stringer graduated from OSU in 1958 and earned a law degree from Harvard in 1961. He held a number of leadership positions at Crowe & Dunlevy law firm.

L.E. "Dean" Stringer

Dean and Carol Stringer are well-known on campus for their support of many OSU units, including the OSU Libraries. This spring the couple will be recognized for yet another of their charity efforts, their dedication to Youth Services for Oklahoma County.

Youth Services for Oklahoma County will honor OSU alumnus and President of the Friends of the OSU Library, Dean Stringer and his wife Carol as this year’s “Stars.” The Stringers will be recognized at the annual charity event “Reach for the Stars.”

The Stringers have been long time supporters of Youth Services providing several years of volunteer service and financial assistance. Dean and Carol were chosen as this year’s “Stars” because they have helped the city’s youth secure success throughout the years. Dean has served as an engaged Youth Service for Oklahoma County Trustee for nine years until.

Dean, not one to sit quietly, served as the Board Vice Chair for two years and then took the reign as Chairman for three years, leading Youth Services through a critical time and placing the nonprofit agency, once again, on strong footing. Dean, while Chairman, worked to establish a Supporting Kids in Independent Living Program Endowment and successfully gave the final gift to reach the “two for one” match raising $250,000.

The Stringer will be publically recognized on April 8 at the Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City. To learn more about the event, visit http://ysoc3.publishpath.com/rfts.

Stringers First to Name New Study Room

Long-time Library supporters,
Dean and Carol Stringer are the first donors to endow one of the new group study
rooms on the first floor of the Edmon Low Library. The room will be dedicated in the spring and bear the couple’s name.

Dean
Stringer, President of the Friends of the OSU Library, said “Carol
and I are pleased to make this gift. The study rooms improve the OSU Library and
should be of particular benefit to students. What a perfect cause!”

Until recently, only two small meeting rooms were available in the Library.
The Jessie Thatcher Bost Room was built in 1990, and the H. Louise Cobb Room was
completed
five years later. Part of the OSU Library strategic plan is to create more collaborative
workspaces. A step toward this goal was taken when work was completed on the three
existing group study rooms in the summer of 2004. Four more rooms are slated for
construction this year.

Sheila Grant Johnson, Dean of Libraries, said, “More and more students are
working in collaborative groups of their own making. This enables them to engage
more strongly and often more adventurously with their coursework. These spaces
provide an ideal setting for students working on group projects.”

The Library is seeking endowed funds, like the one established by the Stringers
to furnish, maintain, and update technology in each of the rooms. A gift of $50,000
will name one of rooms; donors may select from available rooms which will bear
their name.

Endowments are key to the Library’s long-term financial strategy. These
funds are invested; a percentage of the interest is spent annually, and the remaining
interest is reinvested. This allows the endowment to continue growing and providing
increasing support over time. Endowments may be established through pledges paid
out in increments, but must be fully funded within five years.

Former Dean of Libraries and 2003 Phelps Award winner, Edward
R. Johnson, nominated Stringer. Sheila Johnson read from the nomination
letter, "Dean has proved to be a truly outstanding President of the
Friends. He has been an excellent leader and a truly eloquent spokesman
for the Library. Dean has always been a wise adviser and a source of excellent
ideas for fund-raising. His sage counsel and unwavering support were key
ingredients in the Library’s success with its 50th anniversary celebration."

"I could go on and on but I hope I have made the point that Dean
Stringer's many and lasting contributions to the OSU Library deserve recognition
with the Edna Mae Phelps Award. Dean Stringer is a staunch friend of the
Library and I know my dear friend Edna Mae would have heartily seconded
my nomination."

The Edna Mae Phelps Award was established in 1994
to honor founder and first President of the Friends of the OSU Library
Edna Mae Phelps of Seminole. Nominations are collected throughout the
year. For information on the award and how to nominate someone see
or call (405) 744-7331.

Contact

For more information on giving to the Library contact the Tylerr Ropp, Senior Director of Development, at tropp@OSUgiving.com or 405-385-5664.